England cricket captain Joe Root has been hailed as a ‘gay icon’ after he batted away alleged homophobic abuse from a West Indian rival and told him: ‘There is nothing wrong with being gay’.
The star batsman was involved in an on-pitch row with fast bowler Shannon Gabriel who was warned by the match umpires over his ‘abusive’ language during the third test in Saint Lucia.
It is not clear what Gabriel said but Root, who married his long-term girlfriend Carrie Cotterell in December, shot back: ‘Don’t use that as an insult – there is nothing wrong with being gay’.
Video of the incident has been shared thousands of times on social media overnight and Root’s decision to challenge him has been widely praised, especially by LGBT campaigners.
And now the International Cricket Council has charged Gabriel with a breach of its code of conduct – as England wrap up a comprehensive 232-run victory in the third test.
West Indies fast bowler Shannon Gabriel was held back during an exchange with Joe Root yesterday. It is not clear what Gabriel said but the England captain replied: ‘There is nothing wrong with being gay’
Sky Sports footage of the incident showed Root telling Gabriel: ‘Don’t use that as an insult’
Shannon Gabriel (left) was warned by the umpires for using foul and abusive language but will not face any further punishment
England cricketer Joe Root and with his long-term girlfriend Carrie Cotterell, who he married in December
Gay icon: Fans have praised Joe Root for his rebuttal in the face of alleged homophobic abuse
Fan Mike Newman tweeted: ‘Well done @root66. Hopefully your words will be shown throughout the world and will act as great inspiration to all gay people’.
And Stephen Davies said: ‘Rarely do you hear something said on a sports field that needs applauding but @root66 response ‘don’t use that as an insult, there’s nothing wrong with being gay’ to a slur the cameras didn’t pick up shows any young boy or girl watching don’t be afraid to be you’.
Chloe Petts said: ‘Who would have thought Joe Root would be our new gay icon?’
Tensions boiled over in the final Test of the Wisden Trophy but umpires Rod Tucker and Kumar Dharmasena did not lay a charge against West Indies fast bowler Gabriel for his sledging, believing their on-field intervention was sufficient.
Root, who scored an unbeaten 111, said after the day’s play that Gabriel said something he ‘might regret’ – but said he should not be punished further.
The England captain said: ‘It’s Test cricket, he’s an emotional guy trying to do everything he can to win a Test match. Sometimes people say things on the field they might regret, but they should stay on the field’.
Footage from Sky Sports emerged on social media that appeared to suggest England captain Root said ‘there’s nothing wrong with being gay’ in reply to Gabriel in the 44th over of the second innings.
Joe Root and Carrie Cotterell, pictured together at Adelaide Airport in Australia, with their young son Alfred
The heated confrontation on the third day was not picked up by the stump microphones – but Gabriel was warned about his language
England enjoyed their best batting day of a poor tour as Root compiled his 16th Test century
The England captain refused to confirm what had provoked his comments while match referee Jeff Crowe was satisfied no homophobic language had been detected.
The heated confrontation was not picked up by the stump microphones and West Indies interim coach Richard Pybus responded: ‘Nothing has been reported to me but if a comment was made we’ll review it and if it was untoward then we will be addressing it.’
‘He’s a good guy who plays hard cricket and is proud to be in the position he is.
‘The battle was a good contest, he’s had a wonderful series and he should be proud.’
Root, who hit an unbeaten 111, added: ‘When you play Test cricket there is no such thing as a dead rubber. You have the opportunity to play for your country and it means the world.’
The International Cricket Council has since charged Gabriel with a breach of its code of conduct.
The governing body tweeted that ‘the charge, which was laid by match umpires, will now be dealt with by match referee Jeff Crowe.’
England’s Joe Root shakes hands with West Indies’ Shannon Gabriel after the star batsman was involved in an on-pitch row with the fast bowler during the Third Test
The International Cricket Council has charged Gabriel (pictured shaking hands with Root after the match) with a breach of its code of conduct – as England wrap up a comprehensive 232-run victory in the third test
British sports minister Mims Davies praised Root ‘for doing the absolute right thing to properly call this out.’
It comes as England wrapped up a comprehensive 232-run victory in the third test in St Lucia today.
Number five batsman Roston Chase scored an unbeaten 102 for his fifth test ton, after England pace bowler James Anderson ripped through the home side’s top order with three quick wickets.
Although West Indies had already won the series with victories in the first two tests, England’s win in the finale will provide a pick-me-up as they eye a home Ashes series against Australia starting in August.